Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:16:00-2:16:36

Turning Incomparable into a workable fast battleship

The Admiralty would probably add armor and perhaps more guns, while expanding major yards rather than assembling the ship from separately built sections.

Fast BattleshipsHMS IncomparableNaval ArmourRoyal NavyShipyardsWarship Design
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Question

How could Britain build and redesign Incomparable into a practical warship?

Short answer

Expand suitable yards and turn Fisher's concept into a better-armored fast battleship, possibly with six or eight 20-inch guns.

Notes

Sectional construction would probably be unnecessary because British yards had identified expansion paths for a ship of Incomparable's size. Southampton and Cammell Laird are likely candidates, with a naval dockyard also potentially enlarged. Admiralty conservatism would probably add at least Queen Elizabeth-level protection and perhaps increase the main battery to six or eight 20-inch guns. The result would be an Incomparable-Hood hybrid: slightly slower than Fisher proposed, but much more credible as a fast battleship.